@muralgirl This is making me flash back to a particular class in undergrad. These were the markups on every essay I got, the grade was always a B (A's in every other class), and when she made me meet with her to discuss how to rewrite for a better grade she'd give me specific suggestions, I'd repeat them back to her and she'd stare at me completely bewildered and just go, "Oh no, don't do that!" and give me TOTALLY different suggestions, and this went on until I nodded and walked away.

@muralgirl This is making me flash back to a particular class in undergrad. These were the markups on every essay I got, the grade was always a B (A's in every other class), and when she made me meet with her to discuss how to rewrite for a better grade she'd give me specific suggestions, I'd repeat them back to her and she'd stare at me completely bewildered and just go, "Oh no, don't do that!" and give me TOTALLY different suggestions, and this went on until I nodded and walked away.

@Spaghettius! I have a fair amount of commuter angst, but a lot of it went away once I stopped thinking things like, "if everyone just did it x way, we'd all get to work faster" or "why is she trying to get into this train before me? I waited here 10 minutes and her ass just sashayed on up. Doesn't she know there's a line?!"
Focus not on the best way, just alot time for the totally unavoidable hold-ups and carry on.

@Stevie Sorry, such is the NYC commute. Some days everyone's a total fucking asshole, some days you're accidentally the asshole. I've spent way to much energy thinking of how to deal with jerks in the subway who just don't get How Things Work, and I decided the best way is no way. That's a very distinctively NYC brand of zen.
Also, sometimes, I mentally rearrange the way people are standing in a subway car if I deem them to be taking up space in a sub-optimal manner. Also, sometimes people will cut in front of you, and sometimes you'll squeeze in to prevent it, but not always, and sometimes you'll shove some jerk who totally deserves it because he's standing on the passing side of the escalator for NO REASON ARRGH.
But I hope, for your own well-being, that you don't think you're doing anyone a favor by following the unwritten rules of being a good commuter. Just do what you need to do and don't be a dick unless you have to be.

@hahahaha, ja. "Save up & buy quality" always seems tempered by the other side of the coin, "Buy this season's hottest ______!!!" (which, when you wear it again next season, will look readily identifiable as outdated and overplayed.) So how does this work, exactly?
Some people's response to this is to stick with things that are basic and classic (clothes more so than technology, obviously), but some people *would* like to treat themselves to the ability to participate in the present moment. If you have the money, that means you can have something really nice that you will soon be replaced with the next nice thing; if you don't have money, you buy a flimsy knock-off version that will conveniently fall apart when the season is over. Being who I am and coming where I come from and knowing the money I make, my choice in terms of spending habits is my own, but it's impossible to not at least *hear* the siren song of "moar cool stuff NOW" at every corner. Why do people forget that when they judge other people's purchasing decisions?

@Hellcat Yeah, I am currenly going through a period of mercilessly throwing things out, which is rare for me because I tend to hang on to stuff, but I figure this will buy me some peace of mind when I aquire more stuff later (mostly clothes, but also some kitchenware). I kind of vaccilate between liking having stuff and being generally disgusted with consumerism.
I don't know. I'd still suggest talking to someone. I mean, yes, it kind of risks making your bf look like a jerk, but it can help lend some perspective and clarity to the situation. I've definitely done that and had my friend tell me "this guy is an asshole" and it's really no big deal (I think it helps if you don't announce these things to a group, just one trusted person). I'm sure you've heard ranty things from friends about their SO's and this didn't ruin the SO in your eyes, just made you understand that this person isn't being super great to your friend in x ways. It still feels good to talk.

@Hellcat I totally feel the "no outlet" thing right now, and I realize that I don't really feel entitled to things when I am stressed. Sick? Totally. I will buy a fancy soup for lunch because I have sniffles and darn it, I will treat myself, but when I am stressed, there is NOTHING beyond the stressor. I do not exist except as a reaction to the stress. It gets nihilistic right away. What's the point in the perfect lipstick WE ARE GOING TO BECOME HUSKS OF OURSELVES SOON ANYWAY, etc etc. What really helps? Talking to someone. Not even necessarily about the stress-thing, but just a nice talk with a friend; it really lifts the tunnel vision.
Another cheap treat for broke people? Envisioning the platonic ideal of something you'd like to have and then browsing stores and leaving without buying anything because of course they don't have an insulated, spill-proof, metal-inside to-go coffee cup that doesn't smell funny when you take the lid off (in a cute color, under $12). Did that today.